Squashes and pumpkins – what they are and what can go wrong
Despite the fact that their taste and appearance are very different, Squash, which is divided into two main types, winter and summer, are very closely related, cultivated and grown in much the same way. Squashes and pumpkins belong to the Cucurbitaceae family, as well as cucumbers and melons, which all family members need lots of room to grow.
Summer squash are usually grown as sprawling bush and they are harvested well before their maturity, while their skins are always very tender and can be eaten. For most winter squash grow as part of the vines, which require more space than squash summer. We leave these pumpkins on the vine until they are mature, by which time their skins are tough and generally inedible. If winter squash are stored properly, they can be kept through the winter.
Pumpkins are just another kind of squash, some of them grow as shrubs, and others on the vines. They are allowed to mature before harvest the same as winter squash.
The seemingly endless varieties of squash. Some summer squash are yellow squash, it can be or “chopped” or “straightneck” zucchini, squash is a green and white or pale green squash scallops. Most varieties of summer squash can be harvested in 50-60 days after planting.
The acorn and butternut squash, winter squash earlier in maturity are usually ready to be harvested in 75-85 days. Squash buttercub, which is shaped turban, will mature in about 100 days. Green or slate gray Hubbard squash, which can reach a gigantic size, will be ready for harvest in about 110 days. Pumpkins, on the other hand, matures in 100-120 days. All pumpkins need a loamy, rich soil that retain moisture and grow best when the nutrients are added to the soil as humus or fertilizer.
Things that can go wrong
Squashes and pumpkins, as well as cucumbers and melons, are subject to the same diseases. Rootworm striped cucumber can spread a bacterial disease that causes plants to wilt and then die. You can destroy the insects by spraying plants with methoxychlor. squash borers hatch eggs that are laid at the base of the plant and burrow into the stems. The most effective treatment is spray around the base of the plant with methoxychlor, but if the drillers are starting to hatch and tunnel into the plants, you need to cut with a knife.
There is no treatment for Fusarium wilt, a fungal disease, but prevention is the best crop rotation or sterilizing metamsodium the ground. If a white should appear on the leaves, stems cut affected only, and spray plants regularly with benomyl.
About the Author
Barbara E. Volkov and her husband Gene are a retired couple who enjoys the at home time and also tinkering around in the garden. We are always learning new things to do for our garden and enjoy sharing the information with others. Come visit our website http://www.gardenersgardensupplies.com for more interesting tidbits on gardening.
Zucchini and Squash Recipes from The Produce Lady
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